quick question: .223 lube and Lee Die

[Larry in wyoming]

I figure there is a reason why RCBS sells a kit to unstick cases from dies. I made my own home made kit with a drill bit 1/4-20tap 1/2inch long 1/4-20 bolt and a 9mm 1/4drive socket. Spray some PB blaster around the case let that sit for awhile and it will usually come out pretty easy with no damage to the die

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I'll second the stuck case puller kits. It has saved my neck a few times. I ruined a vintage bear die in 30.06. I got on the search quick after that for a tool.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I miss bacon. I get the turkey bacon. But it is no where the same. As a side note. Bacon fat makes a great water proof-fer for boots.

If you don't mind your dog eating them...

On the OP. I have only stuck 1 case. It was 223 with imperial wax. The 223 has a lot going against it as far as resizing goes.
I now use imperial for pistol and heavily tapered rifle cartridges like 30-30.

 

[Scooter22]

Eggs have good cholesterol. I have a Turkey sausage egg English muffin sandwich often in the morning.

Yup I make home made "Mcmuffins". Save a tuna can to use like a cookie cutter. Cuts the egg perfect to fit the muffins. Reloading and cooking advice. Everyone like's a good recipe.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Are you trying to just FL size them or small base size them?

that was the other question???? I want to FL, so ram all the way to the bottom?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Why Do all my Quick Questions become
5 pages of FUN?

 

[Misplacedtexan]

I miss bacon. I get the turkey bacon. But it is no where the same. As a side note. Bacon fat makes a great water proof-fer for boots.

Makes great fried taters too!

 

[Blue68f100]

Which Imperial were you using? The new water based or the original wax?

I've used Imperial Sizing wax for years and never stuck a case. I've also use the OS without any problems too.

 

[N555]

that was the other question???? I want to FL, so ram all the way to the bottom?

That's how I do it with my Lee FL and I still get a few go in a little tight on one rifle that I know has a tight chamber.

 

[LiveLife]

Which Imperial were you using? The new water based or the original wax?

I've used Imperial Sizing wax for years and never stuck a case. I've also use the OS without any problems too.

I am Bag Balm kind of a reloader ... keeps hands nice and soft too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Which Imperial were you using? The new water based or the original wax?

I've used Imperial Sizing wax for years and never stuck a case. I've also use the OS without any problems too.

I bought it 8 years ago. Now sure, been good. expect .223 yesterday

 

[HandyAndy]

For those using cooking spray, does it need to be cleaned off prior to loading the brass?

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

53 years of reloading with nothing but RCBS lube. Why ruin a good thing. Motor mica on the necks. 22 Hornet. 222,223,22-250,6mm,7mm-08,30Carbine 30-06 Garrand, 270,280, 300 Rem Short Mag,35 Rem, 358 Win. 35 Whelen to name few.

 

[FROGO207]

The only 223 brass I stuck I was using Lee dies and their shellholder. The side ripped off the shellholder and the brass slipped by. Got a dedicated RCBS shellholder and no more ripped off rims.
I find if you use ENOUGH lube most anything will work. The key is saving the time putting it on and getting it off after. The easier the better. I use lanolin and isopropyl/heat mix for years with excellent results.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The only 223 brass I stuck I was using Lee dies and their shellholder. The side ripped off the shellholder and the brass slipped by. Got a dedicated RCBS shellholder and no more ripped off rims.
I find if you use ENOUGH lube most anything will work. The key is saving the time putting it on and getting it off after. The easier the better. I use lanolin and isopropyl/heat mix for years with excellent results.

I’m using the APP press and I did get one brass shear off the shell holders!

 

[Mark_Mark]

OK!!! Cooking spray works great! Spay on a pad and rolled the brass. Smooth like silk!

I also polish the internals of the die and cap pin with felt and Flizt on a Deremal. Mirror shine!

So Far So Good!

 

[Hondo 60]

Ive loaded more than 12k rounds of . 223/5.56 using Lee dies and Hornady One Shot (before the internet told me One Shot wasn't a good product); notorious on the internet for causing stuck cases.

Never had a problem.

Sam,e here.
The only time I stuck a case was my fault
I have several lubes & use the one that strikes me that day.
One Shot, (lanolin/isopropyl alcohol 99 Think HEET in the red bottle)
Also was gifted a proprietary mix by a member here.

 

[Scooter22]

Who knew there was High Performance cooking spray? Was it in the Automotive isle?

 

[rdnktrkr]

I also polish my dies internally and polish the decapping rod before using, I use 1000 or higher grit sandpaper in a dowel then use the smooth side with compound, I stuck a few cases using the pad system so I started using the lanolin/Heat lube, put cases in a gallon zip lock bag and spray a couple of times then roll them around inside the bag then dump them on a cardboard tray to dry (I think this is important) a few minutes, refill the bag and spray one less time than before and repeat, since doing this I have not had a stuck case. I bought 6 bottles of Heat around this time of year on clearance about the price of one regularly priced, afterwards I put cases into a vibratory cleaner with polish and mineral spirits to remove the lanolin and polish the cases to a nice shine.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

For those using cooking spray, does it need to be cleaned off prior to loading the brass?

I don't wipe it off.

 

[kmw1954]

I am using the very cheap Lee 2 die rifle die set with a Lee #4 shell holder, Hornady Unique sizing wax and an antique RCBS JR3 press. Now all I have been loading for the past 2 years is 223Rem. I have loaded and fired over 2k 223 in these past 2 years and have another 1k sized and primed, waiting. I have yet ti stick a case.

My thinking is it is not the die, not the lube, not the shell holder or the press. It is all the operator! In my practice if a case gets 2/3 the way into the die and I then need to use 2 hands on the press handle the handle then goes in the opposite direction and the case gets discarded. Sorry folks but I am not going to stick a 20c case and spend the rest of the day fighting to get it out.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Who knew there was High Performance cooking spray? Was it in the Automotive isle?

Costco! I use it in my air fryer

 

[Mark_Mark]

I also polish my dies internally and polish the decapping rod before using, I use 1000 or higher grit sandpaper in a dowel then use the smooth side with compound, I stuck a few cases using the pad system so I started using the lanolin/Heat lube, put cases in a gallon zip lock bag and spray a couple of times then roll them around inside the bag then dump them on a cardboard tray to dry (I think this is important) a few minutes, refill the bag and spray one less time than before and repeat, since doing this I have not had a stuck case. I bought 6 bottles of Heat around this time of year on clearance about the price of one regularly priced, afterwards I put cases into a vibratory cleaner with polish and mineral spirits to remove the lanolin and polish the cases to a nice shine.

Oooh Yeah, tonight will be the 99% alcohol 1:12 mix with Lanolin test! lets see if it’s as good as High Performance canola oil spray! I polish the interior and pin with Dremel, felt tip, and Flitz!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I don't wipe it off.

planing on wet tumbling all the brass after trimming! get it ready for the progressive Lee Pro 4000!

 

[Larry in wyoming]

One thing to be careful of is cleaning your brass too well. If your super clean loaded brass sits for very long, the bullets can cold weld into the cases. When you fire them, you will get elevated pressures. I've had it happen. Now I don't clean my brass hardly at all. This doesn't apply to lead bullets. Just jacketed.